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Red Panda and Little Mole Help USAID, Partners Save Kids From Disasters

Thanks to USAID/OFDA for blogging with us! Did you know that over 1400 people have registered as part of a government delegation to participate in the Global Platform?

Disasters and the havoc they wreak aren’t typically the topic of children’s books or cartoons.  Certainly not in the U.S.  But in developing countries prone to natural disasters, USAID’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance believes that putting a friendly face to crisis preparedness can teach kids how to stay alive.

USAID is partnering with non-governmental organizations and local governments to promote disaster awareness through books, games and cartoons.

In Nepal, one of the most seismically vulnerable countries in the world, USAID has partnered with Nepal’s National Society for Earthquake Technology to develop a child-friendly Red Panda mascot that teaches vital safety lessons. The Red Panda cartoon is currently airing on Nepali television, raising awareness to both kids and adults on the important steps to take before, during and after an earthquake hits.

Youth in Colombia can take an imaginary journey through Riesgolandia (‘Risk Land’), a colorful board game where the goal is to learn how to safely navigate natural disasters such as earthquakes, mudslides, and volcanoes. USAID supports this project—created by UNICEF, UNISDR, the American Red Cross and the Red Crescent—because it brings fun into what is otherwise a heavy discussion about disasters.

In Thailand, where more than 3.8 million children were affected by massive flooding in 2011, a cartoon mole is now teaching kids about the dangers of floods and what they can do to better prepare for them. This story book, ‘Alert Little Mole’ is being used by USAID’s partner, Save the Children, to train teachers on how to integrate child-centered disaster preparedness activities into their school curricula.

USAID, like so many others, is looking to teach youth about the importance of disaster preparedness.  Not only will this help shape the next generation of disaster response leaders, it will ultimately help their communities become more resilient to future crises.